Archives April 2026

XTB, a publicly listed global investment app, has received Category 1 and Category 2 licences from the UAE’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) for its UAE subsidiary. The licenses position XTB as a leading broker in the Middle East, allowing it to offer local investors not only the full brokerage range but also more advanced investment products in the future.

The licenses represent a major milestone in XTB’s regional growth in the Middle East, strengthening its ability to support local investors under UAE regulations. With CMA Category 1 and Category 2 licenses, XTB can further localise its operations and reinforce its long-term commitment to clients across the UAE and the wider Gulf.

New Delhi, Apr 10: Lyne Originals, one of India’s fast-growing smart accessories and audio brands, has announced a major expansion of its product lineup with the launch of six new devices. The new collection includes the STARTUP 30 & STARTUP 49 Smartwatches, STARTUP 57 Earbuds, STARTUP 48 & STARTUP 62 Neckbands, and the Jukebox 10 Pro speaker. The newly launched lineup brings together long-lasting battery performance, immersive audio technology, and sleek design innovation, catering to the growing demand for high-quality yet accessible smart accessories.

This multi-category launch reinforces Lyne Originals’ commitment to providing high-performance, feature-rich technology designed for the evolving needs of Indian consumers—ranging from fitness enthusiasts and gamers to music lovers and professionals on the go.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Kavya Vij, Chief Executive Officer, Lyne Originals, said, “At Lyne Originals, we aim to blend style with superior functionality. This new range, featuring 100-hour battery life neckbands and advanced curved-display smartwatches, reflects our focus on delivering endurance and elegance. We are excited to bring these ‘Startup Series’ innovations to our users, ensuring they stay connected and entertained with the best-in-class tech at accessible price points.”

Features and Specifications

STARTUP 49 Smartwatches (Lancer 1 Pro) & STARTUP 30 (Lancer 20)

The STARTUP 49 Smartwatch stands out with its large 2.09-inch curved LCD display and ergonomic build. It supports Bluetooth calling, features 11+ sports modes, and shows real time data on heart rate, pace, and calorie burned tailored to the specific activity, available in vibrant shades like Orange, Black, and White. The STARTUP 30 offers a 2.01-inch full-screen experience with wireless charging support and a functional rotating crown for easy navigation. Both watches provide seamless social media notifications and health monitoring, available in vibrant shades like Orange, Black, and Green.

STARTUP 57 Earbuds (CoolPods 10 Pro) 

The STARTUP 57 Earbuds is engineered for an immersive audio experience, featuring Studio Quality Sound and 3-Level Noise Cancellation for optimized environmental control. Designed for long-term use, it offers a massive 60 hours of music time and an industry-leading 2000 hours of standby. Gamers can benefit from the dedicated Low Latency Game Mode, while Bluetooth V6.0 ensures a rock-solid connection. It is available in Blue, Black, and White.

STARTUP 48 Neckbands (Rover 15 Pro) & STARTUP 62 (Rover 19 Pro)

The Startup 48 neckband is engineered for consistent performance, delivering 50 hours of music time. It is equipped with Bluetooth V5.3 for stable connectivity and features 10.2 mm drivers that produce crisp audio. For added convenience, the device includes magnetic switch functionality alongside OVP (Over Voltage Protection) and OCP (Over Current Protection) to ensure safe charging. It is available in three color options: Blue, Green, and Black. 

The Startup 62 neckband is designed for ease of use, featuring Magnetic On/Off power switch. With 30 hours of music time and integrated ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) technology. It is powered by Bluetooth version 5.3  and  available in Black, Blue, and Silver

Jukebox 10 Pro Speaker

The Jukebox 10 Pro is an 8 inch portable powerhouse with a 120W speaker output and 8 hours of playback time. It comes equipped with a wireless remote and microphone, making it ideal for karaoke sessions and small gatherings. The speaker also features an in-built mobile stand for convenient hands-free viewing and a dedicated volume controller for precise audio adjustments. With TWS pairing functionality, users can connect two speakers for a richer stereo experience. Supporting multiple input modes including USB, AUX, TF Card, TWS and Wireless connectivity, the Jukebox 10 Pro is a versatile companion for both indoor and outdoor use. It also includes a stylish LED lighting design.

Price and Availability

The newly launched products are now available at leading offline retail outlets across India:

STARTUP 30 Smartwatch

STARTUP 49 Smartwatch

STARTUP 57 Earbuds

STARTUP 48 Neckband

STARTUP 62 Neckband

Jukebox 10 Pro Speaker

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): Hockey India has appointed experienced Australian coach Tim White as the new head coach of the Indian junior women’s hockey team, replacing Tushar Khandekar, who had been with the squad since 2023.

The federation announced the change on Friday but did not provide details regarding the reason for the transition or the duration of White’s contract.

Tim White brings international coaching experience to the role and was recently associated with the Hockey India League, where he served as head coach of the Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons. His appointment is expected to strengthen the team’s preparation and development at the junior level.

Khandekar’s tenure with the side saw steady involvement in building the squad, but the federation has now opted for a change in leadership as part of its ongoing restructuring and performance strategy.

The move reflects Hockey India’s continued focus on bringing global coaching expertise into its system to enhance the performance of India’s junior women’s hockey programme.

New Delhi: India’s national shipping fleet has crossed a major milestone, surpassing 14.2 million Gross Tonnage (GT) for the first time, supported by the addition of 92 new vessels during FY 2025–26.

Officials said the sharp expansion reflects a significant boost in the country’s maritime strength, with vessel additions recording a threefold increase in tonnage growth compared to previous periods.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The development is seen as a key step towards enhancing India’s presence in global shipping and reducing dependence on foreign fleets. It also aligns with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, aimed at strengthening self-reliance in critical strategic sectors.

Experts note that the rising fleet capacity will improve cargo handling capability, support trade efficiency, and enhance India’s competitiveness in international maritime logistics.

With sustained investments and policy support, the shipping sector is expected to play an increasingly important role in driving trade growth and strengthening India’s blue economy ambitions.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): World Homoeopathy Day is being observed on April 10, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the German physician who founded homoeopathy in the late 18th century. This year’s theme, “Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health,” highlights the growing focus on holistic and long-term wellness through alternative systems of medicine.

Homoeopathy, derived from the Greek words “homoios” (similar) and “pathos” (suffering), is based on the principle of treating illness with highly diluted substances that produce symptoms similar to the disease in healthy individuals. The system was formalised by Hahnemann in 1796 and continues to be guided by his foundational work, Organon of Medicine.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/PMOIndia

Two core principles define homoeopathy: “like cures like,” which suggests that substances causing symptoms in a healthy person may help treat similar symptoms in a patient; and the “law of minimum dose,” which advocates the use of highly diluted remedies to stimulate the body’s natural healing process while reducing side effects.

Homoeopathic medicines are typically prepared from natural sources such as plants, minerals, and animal products through processes of dilution and succussion. They are administered in various forms, including tablets, globules, and liquid preparations. A key feature of the system is its individualised treatment approach, where therapy is tailored to a patient’s overall physical and mental condition rather than focusing solely on the disease.

India remains one of the largest centres for homoeopathy in the world. According to official data, the country has around 3.45 lakh registered homoeopathy doctors, 8,593 dispensaries, 277 educational institutions, and 34 research centres, reflecting its strong institutional base.

Homoeopathy was introduced in India in 1810, when German missionaries first brought its medicines to the country. Over time, it has become an integral part of India’s pluralistic healthcare system, supported by a growing workforce and expanding public acceptance.

Officials and experts note that the system continues to evolve through research and education, with increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice and integration into broader healthcare goals. The observance of World Homoeopathy Day also serves to promote awareness about its role in preventive care and sustainable health systems.

HOLMDEL, N.J. and CHICAGO – Apr. 10 – Litera, a leading legal AI platform provider that unifies the practice and business of law, announced the promotion of Priyanka Singh to Executive Vice President, Operations & Chief Financial Officer. Since joining Litera one year ago as CFO, Priyanka has expanded her impact beyond financial leadership, overseeing support and services, legal, and HR, and playing a central role in the company’s operational transformation. Her elevated title reflects the scope she has taken on, and the transformation she has led, helping reshape the company into a customer‑first organization and redefining how Litera partners with customers.

“From day one, Priyanka has shown a relentless drive to do right by our customers, and that commitment is showing up where it matters most,” said Avaneesh Marwaha, CEO of Litera. “What sets Priyanka apart is that she never stops at the balance sheet. She brings a CFO’s discipline to every corner of the business, and it’s her genuine care for our customers that has truly set the tone. Sentiment in the market is up, and Priyanka’s promotion reflects the direct impact her leadership has had on delivering the operational foundation behind our mission to pave the path for the future of law.”

Priyanka brings more than 20 years of experience in financial strategy, operations, and organizational transformation to her expanded role. Her background spans public and private companies focused on SaaS, mergers, and acquisitions at Togetherwork, Global Payments Inc., Heartland Payment Systems, and several verticals at General Electric. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Accountant (CA).

During her first year at Litera, Priyanka has also been instrumental in the company’s return-to-office initiative, overseeing the opening of seven offices and building a culture of in-person collaboration that employees are choosing to embrace. That cultural shift reflects her broader leadership philosophy that strategy only works when it translates into concrete priorities at every level of the organization.

“Litera is at an exciting point in its growth,” said Priyanka Singh. “The opportunity in front of us to help law firms unify the practice and business of law through AI requires operational excellence and a dedication to customers that matches our technology ambition. I’m energized by what we’ve built in the past year, and even more so by what we’re positioned to build for the next decade on a foundation of 30 years of unmatched legal expertise along with our rapid pace of innovation.”

Litera’s pedigree of 30 years of legal expertise, combined with the AI capabilities embedded across its platform through Lito, its award-winning legal AI agent, positions the company as the only legal AI platform built to unify the practice and business of law. Priyanka’s expanded role strengthens the operational foundation to execute that vision.

Democracy in Action: Voters Turn Out in Huge Numbers Across 3 States

Apr 10, (BNP): Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry progressed smoothly on Thursday, recording strong voter participation across all regions.

According to the Election Commission of India, voter turnout by 5 p.m. stood at 84.42% in Assam, 75.01% in Kerala, and 86.92% in Puducherry, reflecting robust public engagement in the democratic process.

In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cast his vote in Jalukbari, a constituency he has represented since 2001. He was accompanied by his family and earlier offered prayers at the revered Kamakhya Temple. Jalukbari continues to remain his political stronghold over the past two decades.

Polling is being conducted for 126 Assembly seats in Assam, 140 in Kerala, and 30 in Puducherry, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

Kerala witnessed participation from over 2.69 crore eligible voters across 140 constituencies, including more than 1.38 crore women, 1.31 crore men, and 277 third-gender voters. Around 4.24 lakh voters are in the 18–19 age group, while over 2 lakh are above 85 years. A total of 30,471 polling stations were set up. The electoral battle is primarily between the Left Democratic Front led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

Assam has over 2.5 crore eligible voters, with 722 candidates contesting across 126 seats. The electorate includes more than 1.25 crore male and 1.25 crore female voters, along with 318 transgender and over 63,000 service voters. Notably, 6.42 lakh voters are aged 18–19, while more than 2.5 lakh are above 80 years. Webcasting was enabled at all 31,490 polling stations, with 1.51 lakh personnel deployed to ensure smooth conduct. The contest is mainly between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and a Congress-led alliance.

In Puducherry, over 10.14 lakh voters are eligible to vote across 30 constituencies, including 5.39 lakh women, 4.74 lakh men, and 157 third-gender voters. Around 24,156 voters are aged 18–19, while 6,034 are above 85 years. The contest is primarily between the All India NR Congress-led NDA and the Congress-DMK alliance, with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam also fielding candidates.

Meanwhile, bypolls in select constituencies recorded moderate turnout, including Bagalkot (65.68%) and Davanagere South (63.04%) in Karnataka, Koridang (80.62%) in Nagaland, and Dharmanagar (79.84%) in Tripura.

Election authorities have ensured peaceful polling with tight security and efficient arrangements, while officials have praised the enthusiastic participation of voters, underscoring the strength of democratic engagement across the regions.

New Delhi,Apr 10 (BNP): Shares of India’s largest IT services company, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) came under pressure on Friday, falling over 3% in early trade after its March quarter results failed to meet investor expectations.

 The stock declined by about 3.25% to ₹2,503.45 on the BSE, while on the NSE it slipped nearly 3.24% to ₹2,505, reflecting broad-based selling pressure following the earnings announcement.

Investor sentiment turned cautious as the results did not provide strong triggers for fresh buying, leading to profit booking in the heavyweight IT stock.

Market participants said the reaction indicates muted near-term expectations from the IT sector, which continues to face global demand uncertainties and margin pressures.

Despite the decline, analysts note that TCS remains a key benchmark stock for the Indian IT industry, and its performance is closely tracked for broader sector cues.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): Gold and silver prices edged lower on Friday in the domestic futures market, as investors booked profits and demand for safe-haven assets eased.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures fell by around 0.5–1%, touching an intraday low of ₹1,52,561 per 10 grams. The yellow metal later recovered slightly but continued to trade weaker during the session.

Silver futures also came under pressure, declining about 0.7% to an intraday low of ₹2,42,067 per kilogram, compared to the previous close.

During the trading session, gold hit a high of ₹1,52,990 per 10 grams before slipping again, while silver also saw intraday volatility.

Market analysts said the decline was mainly driven by profit-taking at higher levels, along with a temporary reduction in safe-haven buying interest.

Despite the dip, traders continue to watch global cues and currency movements closely, which are likely to influence precious metal prices in the coming sessions.

Excessive internet use and prolonged time on social media among young children, instead of playing and studying, has become a growing global concern.

Apr 10, (BNP): Global concern is intensifying over the adverse effects of excessive internet and social media use on children’s overall development. Experts highlight that prolonged screen time—particularly exceeding three hours daily—can significantly increase the risk of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and poor sleep quality.

Studies indicate that excessive engagement with social media platforms exposes children to cyberbullying, unrealistic body image standards, and harmful or inappropriate content. These factors can negatively influence emotional well-being and psychological stability at a crucial stage of development.

In addition to mental health concerns, overuse of digital platforms is also linked to reduced face-to-face social interaction, leading to weaker communication and interpersonal skills. Educators have further observed declining attention spans and a noticeable impact on academic performance among students who spend extended hours online.

Child development specialists, educators, and health professionals are calling for urgent measures to address the issue. They emphasize the need for increased parental supervision, the promotion of healthy digital habits, and encouraging children to engage in physical activities, reading, and real-world social interactions.

Authorities and stakeholders are urged to collaborate in creating awareness and implementing guidelines that ensure a balanced and responsible use of technology among children, safeguarding their future well-being.